Non-parallel multi-bore sealing device
An apparatus for sealing at least one hub bore of a multi-bore fluid hub associated with a wellhead assembly includes a plug body having a plug bore opening on an outer mating surface. A plug bore extends from a first end of the plug body to the plug bore opening. The plug body is selectively insertable into a hub housing of the multi-bore fluid hub. An insert is in engagement with the outer mating surface and is moveable relative to the plug body between an unengaged position, and an engaged position where the insert seals across one of the hub bores. A stem member is coupled to the plug body and is moveable to selectively rotate the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub so that the plug bore opening aligns with one of the hub bores and the insert aligns with another of the hub bores.
1. An apparatus for sealing at least one hub bore of a multi-bore fluid hub associated with a wellhead assembly, the apparatus comprising:
a plug body having a plug bore opening on an outer mating surface of the plug body, and a plug bore extending from a first end of the plug body to the plug bore opening, the plug body having a central axis, being axially movable along the central axis, and selectively insertable into a hub housing of the multi-bore fluid hub;
an insert in engagement with the outer mating surface of the plug body, the insert moveable relative to the plug body between an unengaged position, and an engaged position where the insert seals across one of the hub bores; and
a stem member coupled to the plug body, the stem member moveable to selectively rotate the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub so that the plug bore opening aligns with one of the hub bores and the insert aligns with another of the hub bores.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer mating surface is frusto-conical for selectively mating with an opposite facing frusto-conical surface of the hub housing by axial movement of the plug body relative to the hub housing.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insert has an outer curved surface selectively sealable across the hub bore by relative axial movement of the plug body relative to the hub housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insert has at least one wedge shaped portion in cross section, the wedge shaped portion engaging both the plug body and the hub housing when the plug body is in the engaged position.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the plug bore is angled relative to the central axis so that fluid flowing through the plug bore towards the plug bore opening will generate an axial force on the plug body, moving the insert towards the engaged position.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stem member further comprises a stem connector, the stem connector selectively secured to an axial movement device for moving the plug body axially towards the engaged position.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional insert, each additional insert selectively alignable with a hub bore.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an annular assembly circumscribing a portion of the plug body, the annular assembly selectively providing a dynamic seal and bearing between the plug body and the hub housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plug body has a plug annular shoulder on an outer surface of the plug body, the plug annular shoulder mating with a corresponding hub shoulder on an inner cavity of the hub housing when the plug body is in an engaged position, limiting axial movement of the plug body relative to the hub housing.
10. An apparatus for sealing hub bores of a multi-bore fluid hub associated with a wellhead assembly, the apparatus comprising:
a hub housing having a sidewall, the hub bores being formed through the sidewall;
a plug body having a plug bore extending from a first end of the plug body to a plug bore opening on an outer mating surface of the plug body, the plug body having a central axis, being axially movable along the central axis, and selectively insertable into the hub housing, and which is rotatable in the housing so that the plug bore opening aligns with one of the hub bores;
a plurality of inserts spaced around the outer mating surface of the plug body, each of the inserts moveable relative to the plug body between an unengaged position, and an engaged position where each of the inserts is wedged between the plug body and the hub and seals across one of the hub bores; and
a number of inserts is at least one less than a number of hub bores.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein each of the inserts has a length measured along the outer mating surface that is greater than a circumference of the hub bores.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein each of the inserts is formed of a non-elastomeric material.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein when the plug body is in an unengaged position, each of the inserts has a thickness measured normal to the outer mating surface that is less than a distance between the outer mating surface and the hub housing, measured normal to the outer mating surface.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a stem member coupled to the plug body, the stem member moveable to selectively rotate the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub about the central axis.
15. A method for sealing at least one hub bore of a multi-bore fluid hub, the method comprising:
locating a plug assembly within a hub housing of the multi-bore fluid hub, the plug assembly having: a plug body with a plug bore extending from a first end of the plug body to a plug bore opening on an outer mating surface of the plug body, an insert in engagement with the outer mating surface of the plug body, and a stem member coupled to the plug body;
rotating the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub with the stem member so that the plug bore opening aligns with a selected one of the hub bores and the insert aligns with another of the hub bores; and
moving the plug body axially relative to the hub housing along a central axis of the plug to move the insert relative to the plug body from an unengaged position, to an engaged position where the insert seals across said another of the hub bores.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the step of moving the plug body axially relative to the hub housing comprises flowing a fluid into the plug bore and towards the plug bore opening so that the fluid applies an axial force on the plug body, moving the insert towards the engaged position.
17. The method according to claim 16 , the method further comprising:
stopping the flowing of the fluid into the plug bore to relieve the axial force on the plug body to allow the plug body to return to the unengaged position;
rotating the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub with the stem member so that the plug bore opening aligns with a different one of the hub bores; and
restarting the flowing of the fluid into the plug bore to move the plug body towards the engaged position.
18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the stem member has a stem connector, and wherein the step of moving the plug body axially relative to the hub housing comprises securing the stem connector to an axial movement device for moving the plug body axially towards the engaged position.
19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the plug body has a plug annular shoulder on an outer surface of the plug body, and wherein the step of moving the plug body axially relative to the hub housing comprises moving the plug body until the plug annular shoulder mates with a hub shoulder on an inner cavity of the hub housing.
20. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the step of moving the plug body axially relative to the hub housing comprises moving the plug body until the insert is wedged between the plug body and the hub housing to seal an end of the selected one of the hub bores.